Creating Access Points
This page is currently a work in progress, we will update it as we collect more information. If you think that any of the information is wrong, please contact us.
ECBA are really keen to encourage all of the tenements around our sites to access the facilities in the community backgreen, in particular the tools and equipment in the tool shed. In some cases, this can only be done if an opening is made in wall, railing or fence, or some method is installed to safely climb over the wall.
We've set down below some of the 'wisdom' we have gathered over the years, and described how ECBA can help create openings in boundary fences.
Wall WisdomECBA has prepared the information below to assist tenement residents. This information has been set out using our best judgement, however we may have got some things wrong. If you think that any of the information below is wrong and needs to be corrected please contact us.
What Changes Do You Want To Make?You should consider where the opening could be made and what changes would be required. Would the creation of access require the dismantling of a small section of the stone wall/railing or the removal of a larger section? How you would ensure that the remaining wall/railing/fence is adequately supported? Would you require a gate to be fitted or would you leave an opening. You and your neighbours should write up a short proposal, which can be agreed to or revised.
Canvassing The Support Of Your NeighboursBefore an opening is made, you should canvas all the owners on the stair/s that would be affected to make sure that nobody opposes the creation of an opening. ECBA would like to make clear that at this point we have not researched the legal implications of carrying out such work, but we would suggest the following method to gain and record consent.
You should prepare a Consent Form. The form should have a short introduction as to why you are raising this issue, and a short description of the works that you would like to see carried out. If you know that other owners are already supportive, you should ask their permission to put their name and/or address on the form as support.
You can list the benefits of creating access to the community backgreen (access to tools, community project, growing fruit and veg etc). Make clear that you would welcome any discussion about how the works should be carried out, and folk are welcome to contact you (by phone or email).
At the bottom of the form you should have a section for owners to enter their contact details and their consent or objection with a signature, with a request to post the consent form through your mail box or post it back to you. We recommend that you ask that forms be returned within two weeks (or longer if you prefer), and that you will consider consent given if you do not get a reply. Print off enough copies for all of the owners in your and if appropriate the adjoining blocks.
We recommend that you do a door knocking survey, rather than posting the forms through the doors. If you know that other neighbours are interested in creating access, it is good to do this in pairs. Some people may be concerned that creating an opening will increase the likelihood of theft or anti-social behaviour. ECBA does not have any firm advice to give in this respect as we have not researched this issue.
This may also be a good opportunity to ask your neighbours if they would be interested in participating in the community backgreen project, e.g. installing a raised bed in the backgreen or helping with doing up your backgreen.
If the owner/s are in ask them if they would be happy to fill in and sign the consent form there and then. They may want some time to consider it. This is a good opportunity to explain why you would like to make the changes.
If the owner/s aren't in, you should post the form through the door, and if you can, return the next evening.
If the flat is tenanted, you can ask them to forward the form to the landlord, or even better, ask them to give you their address. This information can be useful for other things.
If there is an objection/s to creating access, you can seek to discuss the issues with your neighbours. If they do not budge, then you should tread carefully, as they may request that any changes be made good, and involve the Council to impose a statutory notice (we will be including more information regarding involving the Council soon). If there is support but some owners do not respond, wait the time that you stipulated in Consent Form then assume consent. Collate all of the consent forms and keep them somewhere safe. Keep a record of all of the addresses which you canvassed, and if you canvassed with another person, ask them to sign the record to confirm that all the flats were canvassed.
Who Would Make The ChangesIn some cases it may be appropriate for the work to be carried out by a volunteer group of neighbours, for others it may be better to bring in skilled workers. Often the work can be split between volunteers and skilled workers.
The removal of a rotten wooden fence is obviously within the means of a volunteer group (be sure and wear gloves and be very careful of nails going through shoes!), and even the removal of iron railings can be done by volunteers with adequate training and equipment (see ECBA Support below).
If you are creating an opening in a stone wall or iron railing, and particularly if you are fitting a gate to either, ECBA would advise that this is the work of skilled craftsman. You should invite several to quote for the job based upon the job description you have prepared (see above).
Safety
Health & safety is a big issue. The deconstruction of a tall stone wall can be a hazardous operation. However there are some tasks which could be taken on in a DIY fashion. What is important, is that you assess the risk of injury prior to starting and act accordingly.
Another important factor to consider, is the existing wall/railing safe in its current condition? If not, it would be responsible of the owners to make changes to the wall to make it safe. Leaning railings and walls can create a significant risk of injury.
Historic Listing of Walls and Railings
To our knowledge, it is very rare for stone walls or iron railings to have historic listing. This would only happen if the tenement building to which they are attached has historic listing.
Support From ECBAECBA are limited in the support we can give to residents to create access to community backgreens, but we will do what we can. Most of the help we can provide would be through the Green Caretakers service which is a pay-for-service.
Lend of ToolsWe can lend tools to the Community Backgreen Group to be used in creating access. This includes, lump hammers, gloves, angle grinder, wrecking bars and sledge hammers. This would normally be free of charge.
Green CaretakersOnce you have permission from your neighbours, ECBA can quote for the creation of an opening or installation of a gate. If you wish, the quote will take into consideration the voluntary involvement of the residents, and the work can be carried out as a volunteer workshop, and could include the regeneration of the whole tenement backgreen. ECBA would sub-contract any skilled work, for example to install a gate, or stone work.